Well the campaigning and the debates and the bickering and hearing the same thing over and over again is finally over. With our President Elect Barack Obama waiting eagerly I'm sure for inauguration. I'm from the great Land of Lincoln and registered to vote in February when I was renewing my drivers license at home, therefore I took place in what is called an absentee ballot that is send through the mail and is very simple to do.
I went online to figure out how it was going to work since I knew I would be out of state and I found that I had to write a letter or call my election official in my district and explain to them why I would be away, so I did and explained I'd be at school in Colorado. I received my ballot and information and followed the instructions and voted for who I found suitable for the position. When I had completed my patriotic duty I folded it up a little bit and slipped it in the envelope and made sure that it got to the election office long before 8pm the night of the election. When I was filling out the ballot I really took my time and went over it a few times to make sure I did not miss anything or get confused and cause my vote to be invalid.
Other than that, it felt good to vote in my first election and I can see that my vote did make a difference.
Back in 2005 Denver voted to legalize marijuana possession for anyone over 21 years of age as long as it was an ounce or less. They then voted in favor by 54% to legalize possession of an ounce or less, making them the first state in the US to legalize possession without being a medical card holder. There are now a few other states that have made giggle bush less of a priority as far as their police work goes and more states are starting up medical marijuana clinics as it is. I think that it's only a matter of time before the loop holes in the system and the common sense facts behind the issue become clear to the next generations to come and I think we will legalize it and profit greatly from it. Hell maybe we can run our cars on the stuff and everyone would be happy all the time not matter what. I was reading Cannabis Culture and came across a piece about the Denver legalizing issue and there was this cool non-profit called SAFER, which stands for "Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation." It is a Colorado-based organization whose mission is to educate the public about the harmful consequences associated with alcohol or tobacco, as compared to the safer?yet illegal? substance: marijuana. Some facts that they presented are as followed: Here is the language of the Initiative-100 Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative
WHEREAS, according to the National Institutes of Health, an average of 317 Americans die annually as the result of alcohol overdoses; and WHEREAS, there has never been even a single fatal marijuana overdose recorded in the medical literature, as noted by the British Medical Journal in September 2003; and WHEREAS, according to U.S. Department of Justice, �About 3 million crimes occur each year in which victims perceive the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense. Among those victims who provided information about the offender�s use of alcohol, about 35% of the victimizations involved an offender who had been drinking�; and WHEREAS, extensive research, documented in official reports by the British government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, among others, shows that -- unlike alcohol -- marijuana use is not generally a cause of violence or aggressive behavior and in fact tends to reduce violence and aggression; WHEREAS, it is the intent of this ordinance to have the private adult use and possession of marijuana treated in the same manner as the private adult use and possession of alcohol; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
And I had to put this video on here for anyone who has not seen it, its out on the quad here at the Fort two years ago I believe on visitors day with a tour group watching. I had to do this because I saw this on TRU TV last night on channel 36 so here it is, it takes place on 4/20 and that is a cop standing outside.... enjoy
Audi has been in the works of turning their small sporty coupe/convertible TT into a real monster. They will call it the PPI RS TT, which will be based off of the original body style with new age design features. The car will host a 1.8 liter, 5 valve engine with a whopping 355 horsepower. It will be equipped with a water and oil cooled turbocharger, S/S downpipe, S/S exhaust system, modified air intake and high flow delivery system, strengthen engine internals, modified engine control unit among other things. Here is a video and some pictures of this crazy new ride that Audi will soon release.
Thanks to sites like www.pandora.com, www.seepod.com, and others the world of music as we know it has taken off to places we never imagined. Seeqpod has taken it as far as creating a contract with Apple to use their program as a music search program available on the new IPHONE. I'm sure most of you already know of these programs but I thought I'd share fort those who have mcuh to explore in the world of music. I have been able to discover so much new and interesting music that I would have never ever heard in my entire life had it not been for sites like these. They are live streaming music players that search the entire web for songs by certain titles or artists or albums. Seeqpod is used more for finding a multiple amount of songs from one artist or genre, while Pandora is used to explore more music. What I mean by this is that when you type in your desired artist or song it pulls up songs by the specified artist as well as similar artists/genres. I have found some very interesting music on Pandora and would highly reccommend it if you are wanting to expand your music collection in different ways. Seeqod is also a really great sight, you can find just about anything you type in there, and an other added bonus about these sites are that they are FREE!
Wolf Creek: Wolf Creek Ski Area is opening Saturday, November 8th for the 2008-2009 season! Wolf Creek is reporting an all natural base of 14 inches with 10 inches of new snow from the current storm and 20 inches year to date. Very early season conditions exist and 30% of the mountain will be open with a small variety of terrain. Treasure, Bonanza, and Nova lifts will be operating from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Lift tickets will be the Local Appreciation rate of $31.00 for adults and $18.00 for seniors and children until further notice.
Purgatory: Will be opening on Turkey Day, the 27th of November. Get a couple lines and work up an appetite for dinner. They are reporting no new snow but claim that 100% of the mountain is open with only one lift running, with a 50% chance of snowfall accumulation beginning on Sunday continuing through Monday.
Telluride: As of 4:00pm November 5th, Telluride has already accumulated a staggering 27 inches of snow in just 24 hours. With only 21 days left until opening day with more snow in the forecast for Sunday, it is looking to be a promising season. Knock on wood. Also new this season, Revelation Bowl will be serviced with a brand new high speed quad.
I heard from a friend that John McCain is coming to Durango Highschool on this friday, the 24th. It is his "Road to victory rally" and should be interesting to see who shows up, and to hear what he has to say to the people of Durango. I'd highly recommend trying to get out there and get involved with this great opportunity. The website for the information is www.colorado.johnmccain.com if you want to check out other information. This is the general information that is needed for anyone who wants to attend on Friday. Road to Victory Rally: Friday October 24th in Durango, CO What: Road to Victory Rally: Friday October 24th in Durango, CO
When: October 24, 2008 3:00 p.m.
Where: Durango High School Football Field 2390 Main Avenue Durango, CO81301
Please join
Senator John McCain
for a Road to Victory Rally
in Durango, CO
Friday October 24th
Durango High School Football Field 2390 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301
Doors Open at 3:00 p.m. Program begins at 5:00 p.m.
You may RSVP online and seats at the event are at a first come first serve basis. There will not be tickets issued for this event
Please click here to RSVP online for the event
Attendees to all events must pass through airport-like security. Please prepare accordingly.
I found a video clip on www.chicagotribune.com of Obama and McCain at a NYC Dinner and found it amusing and refreshing to hear them both loosen up and have a good time. It was nice to see this, because after all these debates and these never-ending campaigns it is nice to see this finally all start winding down. Releasing tension between the two candidates through the use of humor, the two candidates exchanged clever one liners about eachother. After I saw the video clip it was clear that Obama is much more funny and appears more confident and put together, what a future president should look like.
Oliver Stone is releasing his new movie W. this month and I am very excited. Oliver Stone is a highly accomplished writer, producer, and director. He has won 3 Oscars and countless other awards and recognitions for his accomplishments in the world of film. He is responsible for movies such as Natural Born Killers, Any Given Sunday, Platoon, The Doors, Nixon, JFK, World Trade Center, and his most recent film W. I have loved just about every Oliver Stone movie I have seen, but I am most excited for this film because it is based on events that took place throughout an 8 year period of my life. It is going to be so funny to see how he portrays Bush and all of his counterparts. Enjoy the trailer.
I came across an article in the Durango Herald the other day about the harmful effects of the lead shot that is scattered throughout our hunting areas in the woods. Shot is the bi-product of lead based ammunition and it is very toxic. The article was explaining how the lead shots were leaking into the soil, and in turn into the ground water, and was being eaten by all sorts of wildlife species. The article stated:
In the late 1800s, biologists began reporting that waterfowl and upland birds were exhibiting symptoms of lead poisoning. Game birds were ingesting lead shotgun pellets while foraging or seeking grit. Because bird hunting is often concentrated within small areas, significant quantities of lead were deposited in important animal habitats.
By the 1960s, more than 100,000 lead pellets per acre could be found in some wetlands, and an estimated 1.5 million-2.5 million birds died annually from ingesting lead shot. Further, raptors such as eagles and hawks were dying after scavenging lead-poisoned carcasses or capturing and eating birds wounded by lead shot.
Based on new understandings of this widespread problem, the use of lead pellets for waterfowl hunting was banned in the United States in 1991, and in Canada in 1997.
Initially, hunters and manufacturers raised concerns over the efficacy and cost of non-toxic shot. However, education, research and development smoothed the transition to effective, relatively low-cost and lead-free pellets made of steel, tungsten, nickel, bismuth and tin.
These bans have greatly reduced waterfowl poisoning across North America, as lead gradually is removed from areas where it was accessible.
As I'm sure everyone has noticed that fall is here and its coming into full force. All the leaves have changed and it looks like some of the mountains are on fire. Fall is for sure one of my favorite seasons because it is so visual and the change in weather at this time can be completely unpredictable, but for the most part it stays nice. I rode my bike up Dry Fork Trail last week and this week a few times and it is breath-taking back there. There is a great single track trail that side-winds up the mountain through fields of Aspen Tress that appear to be hundreds of different pastel colors. These trees are scattered in groups and find their place among the millions of pines that go on for miles, creating an almost mystical appearance with the browns, greens, yellows, reds, and oranges all coming together to make nautres art. The trail is awesome for cross country/downhill and perfect for an afternoon walk with the dogs or friends. Once up at the top, all you can do is sit in awe and just look at how amazing our world is and how amazing Durango is. I'd highly recommend going and checking out this trail before the leaves start covering the ground moreso than the trees. To get there just go West on 160 about a mile past Wildcat Canyon to Lightner Creek Road and stay on that untl you hit the dirt road. This will take you to the trail head, once you hit the fork in the road, go right to the lower part then left at the second for. You can't miss the trailhead. Enjoy.
I went to the Ska grand opening on Sunday and I was super impressed, the new brewery sits atop Bodo Park like a grand monument solely dedicated to providing great beer. The company underwent a $4.8 million dollar expansion. The new brewery is right around 20,000 square feet as opposed to the original 5,000 square foot building. With this huge increase in size they are projecting to be brewing around 20, 000 barrels annually each barrel containing 31 gallons, a major expansion compared to the 9,000 barrels they currently brew annually. The tasting room is huge, with long tables for big groups of friends, more intimate bar stool like tables, and a bar that stretches about 100 feet. From the tasting room you can see the huge stainless steel cylinders that stand a good 20 feet tall filled with heavenly tasting beer. The new place is really just amazing and a great place to hang out with friends and meet new people who share a common interest. They will also be carrying exclusive beers that are only brewed in small batches and are only available at the tasting room. "We're going to have a lot of exciting, interesting beers on tap," said Thibodeau the president/ co-owner of Ska. Barrel Aged Strong Scotch Whiskey was one of the new brews introduced along with Hoperation Ivy which is an India Pale ale, I thought the Barrel Aged was the best of the two; but you should just try them yourself and decide. I highly recomend checking out their new facility, it is very cool and inviting. They really out did themselves with the brewery itself and the grand opening doubled as a fundraiser for the San Juan Citizens Alliance, the Durango-based environmental group, so in true Durango fashion you are most likely drinking for a good cause.
For the first time in 100 years the Chicago Cubs have won their division and locked down a playoff spot for two consecutive years. This team has been in the making for about 5 years now, and all the pieces are finally falling together. They made smart trades, stayed healthy, acquired the Babe Ruth of Japan, and threw some heat into their starting pitching rotation with Rich Harden. Having been a die hard Cubs fan all my life, growing up around the corner from Wrigley Field I know better than to say that "this is the year." Although I will say that this is the best team I have seen on that field since they blew it in 2003 when they were 1 game away from the World Series with one of our many aces on the mound, Mark Prior. I was at all the NLCS home games against the Braves when we chanted them off the field, I was also there for the darker nights against the Marlins that still give me nightmares to this day.
I know that everyone in Chicago knows who Steve Bartman is, he is one of the reasons we blew game 6 to go to the world series. He is the infamous Cubs fan who reached over the bleacher wall and interfered with a very playable ball to get out of the inning. So basically every single Cubs fan in America hates this dude, but I know and other people who know baseball and can actually focus on any other aspect of that particular game besides that can tell you that he is not why we lost the game. He was just the perfect scape goat, and I'll admit that I wanted him stoned and humiliated in the middle of the field but I have learned in time to let it go. Our pitching fell apart and Alex Gonzalez F-D up the easiest ground ball right through his legs when we could have been out of the inning and out of the game with a W. When Bartman reached over for the ball and people realized what had happened, you could hear a pin drop in the stadium. Immediately after the word spread, beers, hot dogs, and other miscelaneous items were thrown at Mr. Bartman and he was escorted by Wrigley personel. Here is a short clip from this incident.
Anyways the Cubs are finishing up the regular season with the second best record in all of the Major League and I wish I was home to feel the excitement. There is just nothing better than going to Wrigley Field with friends and loved ones, drinking Old Style, eating the best hot dogs ever, in the best city ever, with the best fans of all time, and when the seventh inning stretch rolls around it turns into a whole new ball game.
So even though we haven't won a World Series in 100 years, I'm liking where we are at right now and I'm hopeful for a strong Playoff Performance. I'm going to leave you with a clip of Harry Caray singing the 7th inning stretch he made so famous as well as a funny Budweiser commercial from the 80's, enjoy.
Tour de Fat was put together to celebrate the bicycle and raise money for local charities, it also spreads the word on ways to minimize your own personal waste stream, holds games, provides live entertainment, a parade, and contests such as the Car Bike Swap. The Car Bike Swap is exactly what it sounds like, a local person donates his or her car and the proceeds go to charity. In return they are handsomely rewarded with a one of a kind New Belgium cruiser bike so they can live vehicle free for a year, or longer if one chooses to do so.
Everyone comes out in crazy costumes with their bikes decorated, some with custom home-built or modified bikes. They have great live music, dancing, a parade, lots of crazy things to see and cold beer. All the proceeds from the beer also go to charity and other not for profit organizations so you are drinking for a good cause. It is a lot of fun and a good way to meet people who are interested in the same ideals. I personally can't wait to dress up in come crazy get up and ride my bike around drinking some Fat Tire.
Here is some helpful information below in regards to this weekends Tour de Fat. Along with a video from the Chicago stop this past June and the Ten Commandments of Tour de Fat.
1. Put no means of transport before thy bike: Come by bike because not only are bikes fun, but they help stave off some of our most wicked ills: Traffic, obesity, and pollution. Tour de Fat has a solution: ride this day, every day, and definitely when Tour de Fat heads your way.
2. Honor all other bikes: All bikes are good bikes, and all those who ride them are good people. This is the one Bike Festival that cherishes bicycle diversity on our Cruise-ade through town.
3. May every generation come forth: This is a family friendly event. Costumes, bikes and a parade? We were thinking like kids when we created Tour de Fat.
4. Thou shall come as a participant not a spectator: It’s a costumed celebration of human-powered transportation. Muscles not motors, coasters, v-brakes and rotors. Come in your favorite alter ego, because when everybody’s weird, no one is.
5. Thou shalt not bring booze; But enjoy the supplied malted adult refreshments responsibly: Please do not bring any outside alcohol on the ride or into the park. It could result in getting the event shut down…don’t be that guy. And when you imbibe in our tasty brews, remember this is a Bicycle Festival with beer, not the other way around.
6. New Belgium shalt not profit: Our goal is to raise money for bicycle and environmental charities. New Belgium Brewing Company does NOT retain any of the events’ proceeds. Please think of your $5 beer tokens as donations to a worthy cause. All sales are final; beer tokens do not expire and will be accepted next year.
7. Remember the purpose, and bring not your pooches: No canine friends allowed this year. We’re a dog-loving Brewery, but sadly not all municipalities and parks are. Please leave your best friends at home for their safety and the safety of others. Besides, it’s not much fun for dogs with all the noise and crazy people around.
8. Keep the day true with thy good juju: The ride is free, but we suggest a $5 donation to the good bike advocates who are putting it on for you. If you give more, you will not incur flats, mechanical troubles, or dry skin for a while…maybe. This is a celebration of the bike, not an anti-car rally. All tools have their place.
9. Thou shall rise early: Since Tour de Fat is a free show, we sometimes get more folks than we can accommodate. Once we’re full, we will handle overflow like a restaurant or bar: one in, one out. We reserve the right to determine the appropriate crowd size in the name of safety and enjoyment for those inside.
Thou shalt not steal thy neighbors’ bike: Don’t even think of leaving with a bike that doesn’t belong to you. Modern-day horse thieves will be dealt with by angry mob, pitchforks, and torches.
I was very disturbed to hear that Horses Gulch and the surrounding trails such as Carbon Junction are at the mercy of development. Horses Gulch is an area just over the ridge from campus composed of 30 plus miles of single track goodness. I was informed in my Environmental Policy class that they want to develop the hell out of it. I found a good article on the subject on http://www.durangotelegraph.com/04-03-25/cover_story.htm.
Trails 2000, Durango’s trails advocacy group is doing all they can to make sure that new trails will be created in the wake of the development as well as preserving the original trails. There is no stopping change and development, and they are already building a new place called Grandview, which will soon be the new sight of 2,200 homes on 682 acres as well as the new Medical Center on a massive 35 acres. There is talk of them buliding a four lane highway bypassing walmart from behind the new hospital through Horses Gulch popping out onto Goeglein Gulch Rd. As well as building a multitude of new stuff in the pristine gulch meadow.
I can't believe that this was the first I had heard about the horrible news, so I decided to share it and raise awareness of the huge development plans that are coming to Durango. Durango will not be the place that I once fell in love with, but an overcrowded overpriced overdeveloped clone of what happens to amazing places when spoiled by undeniable development.
Horses Gulch would be a huge loss for this town and I assume the beginning of a downward spiral in terms of losing land to the overwhelming development.
The media paper that was just assigned to us is the sole inspiration for this entry. I was sitting at my desk the other day writing down all the shows I remember watching as a kid and it was a blast. I was just sitting there laughing thinking about all the good memories of being a kid, when All That popped into my head. The skit comedy show comprised of all teenagers, sort of a Saturday Night Live for kids around my age. This was one of my favorite shows on Nickelodeon.
When the idea popped into my head I went straight to YOUTUBE to find some classic memorabilia from the show. As soon as I saw the big yellow face with black hair and a huge black hole for a mouth shouting ALL THAT out of it, it was all coming back to me. Kenan and Kel, orange soda, that Lori Beth chick that did her news show, and most of all the theme song with TLC that was so gangster. I loved that song when I was younger so I found it of course on non other than YOUTUBE and it turns out that its still tight as ever.
I hope that this short but sweet post helps you all remember the amazing shows we were fortunate enough to have on when we were growing up. I feel bad for the new generation because I feel like their t.v. kind of sucks compared to the classics we had. I could go on for hours talking about old shows like Are you afraid of the dark, Doug, Angry Beavers, Ren and Stimpy! are you serious? Legends of the hidden Temple, Saved By The Bell, Pete and Pete, Family Matters, Rugrats. We had it really good for sure.
I heard from a fellow classmate that some where out in the Canadian Arctic some hunters claimed to have shot and killed a polar bear grizzly hybrid. I got home from class that afternoon and I found the article on National Geographic News dating back to May 11th 2006 confirming the news positive with DNA confirmation.
In the article the local polar bear expert with the Canadian Wildlife service was stunned that a breeding between these two animals could take place in the wild. It was stated that the polar bears and grizzlies both undergo an ongoing mating ritual. With this in mind it was concluded that this was not some chance encounter.
"It's of interest because it's rare, but that's kind of it," stated Rosa Meehan, the chief of marine mammal management with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska. Rosa is currently overseeing how changing environmental conditions in the Arctic are affecting polar bears. She claims that the hybrid doesn't prove the species' possible endangered status or on global warming's potential role in the decline of the polar bears.
David Paetkau the president of Wildlife Genetics International confirmed the bear is indeed a hybrid, but states its just one instance and that it is too early to conclude anything about the discovery.
According to Ian Stirling, a research scientist and polar bear expert grizzly bears have been showing up in the polar bears' territory for the past 50 years. The hybrid, he said, is "definitely not" a sign of climate change.
